light weight backpacking

S

swbuckmaster

Long Time Member
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I am always looking for a better way of cutting weight for hunting. I have had to go about it the hard way Trial and error and lots of wasted $$$. I am sure I am not finished so let's hear all of your setups for back country hunting. Here is mine!
I have a Jim Horn back pack.

Clark jungle hammock which is in my opinion the best one man light weight tent you can buy. It is around 3lbs and is very comfortable to sleep in (No rocks in your back). I have never been cold or sore after sleeping in this tent. It sets up in under 5 minutes and packs to about the size of a football.

I just purchased a Slumberjack sleeping bag $79 and have tried it out this week end, it worked great and packs about the size of a football and weighs 3lbs. Time will only tell if I should have spent the extra money on a more expensive bag.

Platapuss water bladder.

My stove is made by Coleman I think it is called a hot shot.

I have been using Mountain house dinners they taste great and the only utensil that gets dirty is a spoon.

I use a titanium kettle for boiling water. I bought it for around $30 bucks, it is big enough to put my stove, lighter, spoon, and fuel in, all of which is a little bigger than a softball.

Katadyn water filter.

Change of clothes extra socks.

Cheep pair of expandable walking ski poles from Wal-Mart for about 10 bucks apiece. These are great and really help out on rough terrain.

Nikon 15-45 scope, with a cheep tripod.

Toilet paper and a bag full of baby wipes.

Pack weight for three days of hunting is around 35lbs and is the size of most people?s day packs.
 
Good list.
I'm using a Crooked Horn Extreme pack. Most of my gear is not as light weight as yours.

I use
a Cabelas Bivy tent 3# 10 oz
a 0 degree bag 4# 2 oz (I know, there are lighter ones out there)
a z-lite sleeping pad (I had the inflatable leak on me, no more)
Mtn house meals
a no name propane/butane mix stove
a titanium spork
a titanium pot
a Camelback 101 oz bladder w/ gatorade mix
another Nalgene collapsible 48 oz plastic bl;adder for cooking and coffee.
one pair of socks for each day
a wool shirt
Rain Suede Rain Gear
MSR water filter

My pack is quite a bit heavier at 48# for 4-5 days...

I have a few additions:

Deer bags? I pack Alaska Game bags

Para Cord or rope 50 ft.

First aid kit plus
Bandaids, 2 rolls of white gauze 1 roll of Vet Wrap, suture kit

Bear Spray, where warranted.

DUCT TAPE Small roll

MP3 PLayer with books on tape (so you don't hear the things that bump in the night)

Can we see a picture of the jungle hammock? sounds like a good idea.
 
2rocky I use to pack deer bags but they are HEAVY . Pillow cases work great and they are very light .

My pack for a week is around 55 pounds . Big Swarovski spotter, tripod and fairly heavy sleeping bag really tacks on the wieght . Will eventually upgrade to a 2# sleeping bag , that'll alone knok off almost 3 1/2# .
 
Look up Clark jungle hammock on the web. These tents are great I have been using them for a few years now. They allow you to have the best rest you could probably have outside your own bed. They take down just as fast as they go up (under 5 minutes).
I looked into the bivy sacks and have read articles about them but they are not for me. I don't like bugs or bad weather coming down on me. You also won't need a pad.

Duct tape is something I am going to add to my list. You never know when you are going to get a blister. I had to make a phone call and have a friend bring me some on his way in. I got the worst blisters on my heals. The blister pads and duct tape saved me.
 
You usually only need a couple of feet of tape. I wrap this around a lighter or water bottle. That way it is with you on every trip when you need it.

Archer
 
Check out the Hennesy(sp) Hammocks. I think they are lighter than the one you are using if you like a hammock. Hammock are also a lot colder because of the air under you. They are really comfortable though. I like Henry Shires Tarptents for a shelter. 3 man is 2.5 pounds, not to bad if you like a tent. The sleeping bag is a place to save a lot more weight also. I suggest down. I live in WA and thats all I use. If you really want to save weight don't bring a stove. Just a few thoughts. DT
 
Big Agnes makes a heck of a good tent very light. The one man tent weighs 2 lbs 14 ounces and has a 38 inch ceiling. I use the 2 man cause the wifey goes. it weighs a little over 3 lbs.
REI kilo plus sleeping bag. 0 degree - 2lbs 10 ounces. Titanium pot for boiling water for one mtn house meal a day 9and lots of gorp).
I put this on a kelty frame with any loose items in my dayback. Everything else lashed to the frame. Optics kill me. Spotter, binos and camera add up quickly.
The best way to go in light is to invite a non hunting friend along so they can "see what its all about" and then load them up like a mule... :)
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-28-06 AT 08:44AM (MST)[p]I looked at the Hennesy Hammocks they are lighter but the Clark is nicer in my opinion. I'll tell you why I think it is. The Clark addresses the cold issue better it has pockets built under it and I stuff my coat, shoes, and clothes into these pockets. This creates dead air space for insulation. I didn't think any of the other hammocks addressed this as well.
This is kind of off the subject but the other reason I use a hammock is I also use pack goats sometimes on longer trips. If you let them run free at night and are sleeping on the ground with a bivy or a tent they will try to sleep on you. I try to pack as light as I can so I can hike with more speed and can cover more terrain. With this set up I can load my gear onto 2 goats which can keep up all day. In the event you get a deer it is no problem getting it out. The goats carry the deer and I carry the gear. So far they haven't complained as much as my friends when I shoot something in a hell hole.


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This is an interesting post. I really want to get into backcountry bowhunting, so this is very good information. Do you guys all learn from trial and error from personal experience or is there a good book anyone could recomend on this subject.
 
Rookie, if you havent heard about it all ready, Cameron Hanes' Backcountry Bowhunting Is about as good as you can find on this topic, just came out a month ago.
 
I was reading a book at REI last night on light weight packing. The first area they hit on was using light weight shoes they say a pound saved in this area is like 5 pounds on your back.
 
>Sheepshooter have you used your spotting
>scope to take pictures or
>video with?

Pictures have been fair and the video has been decent . I'm not using an adapter just holding the camera close to the lens . It works .
 
All of the suggestions are good. I think the best one is one I finally started using three years ago. LLAMAS. They can go anywhere a mule deer can go (honestly). They can carry 55 to 60 pounds indefinitely and 100 pounds to get the boned animal out.

They make NO noise and eat VERY little. On cool days or in damp weather, you can't even force them to take a drink; that means they'll take your water to the top of the mountain and let you drink it. You don't have to take them to water every day.

They also don't argue with you about where to go (that was a dig at most horses).

I've got 3 of them, a 2-horse trailer, the saddles and tack and even a $300 pair of shears. I probably have $2200 invested. The Llams have made it possible for me to get 7 or 8 miles from the trailhead, just like I did when I was 25 to 35 AND I can stay there as long as I want.

Use the lightweight concepts, pack the equipment on Llamas and see what a difference it makes. The only real warning is...they are herd animals, you need two. Mine were completely untrained and now they (and I) are experts at llama packing...it's EASY!

Good luck!
 
I just eat cold food sometimes. If I am by myself or with my cousin its fine. But everybody else I backpack hunt with likes coffee and Mountain House. I eat cold top raman, cold mountain house, it really doesn't matter to me as long as it fills me up.
 
I want to try a 1 or 2 night trip to get a few miles in off the road but have bad memories of boy scout winter camping trips freezing my you know what off in my cotton sleeping bag. I also did a september backcountry packtrip with better gear and it not being real comfortable sleeping. What can I carry on my back to keep me halfway warm at 6000 to 8000 feet in Idaho in October? Also should I attempt this alone on the borders of wolf country?
 
Have you guys checked out the JetBoil stoves? My buddy had one last year and it seemed really nice. Basically a big mug with a little propane canister that it connects to. They sure heat water up in a hurry. They also have an insulated coating, so you can handle it and its cool to the touch ( even with boing water in it.) Warm food sure hits the spot after the mountain miles. I might get one for this year. Anybody have one?
 
Forgot to ask. Was looking at Badlands 2200 pack for day trips and wondered if I could pack a deer or half of one out with it or go with a regular metal frame with a small day pack on it?
 
Here is another question. How many calories should a 180 lb person consume in a day of hiking? I think it is over 2000 but I'am not sure.

I just bought a few dinners from backpackers pantry for an overnight scouting trip I will be doing on Thursday.
Italian Beef Pasta, 840 calories for dinner.
Banana Cream Pie 220 calories for dinner.
Granola with Blueberries and milk, 530 calories for breakfast.
 
Boomhand are you talking about sleeping bags or coats keeping you warm.

I do a lot of packing alone in the dark. I used to not even carry a flashlight. That all changed a few years back. I did have a light on this trip. I heard the weeds moving and turned on the light and saw a cougar looking back at me at about 15 yards. I will not go into the woods by my self without a light and some way of defending myself any more. As for wolves I think there have only been a few people ever killed by wolves in the wild in the USA. After reading the post about wolves the other day I would bring a piece maker.
 
HOW COME NO MENTIONED THE RIFLE?
You can save a ton by shooting an titanium , or ultra lights
I feel rifle weight is a big deal!
rm
 
Alot of good Ideas out there. I keep changing and upgrading all the time, here is where I am currently.

Badlands 4500 pack
Cabelas xpg 0 degree Bag 3lb 13oz
Eureka 1 man tent 3lbs 7oz(a little heavier than bivy, but nice
to be able to change clothes inside)
Rei light core self inflating pad 1lb 2oz
pocket rocket stove and fuel
mountain house food
titanium pot
coffe cup(I need caffeine)and instant coffee
msr water filter
black diamond headlamp
leica 1200 yard rangefinder
swarovski sts 65 spotting scope and tripod(heavy but needed)
first aid kit
duct tape
toilet paper
chap stick
granola bars
50 ft nylon cord
matches
Knife
mossy oak trek lite pants( legs zip off, great for hot weather)
wool socks
under armour base layer
boots alaskan hunters by meindl
Camera
Cabelas bivy 13oz will use inside my tent if in cold weather,
I dont like being cold at night
 
Jetboil is a great piece of equipment. Burns much more efficient and FAST for boiling. No windscreen needed as it is part of the cup. You can get the cookset version if you would like to do more than boil water. The coffee press is awesome. No more cowboy coffee. I threw out my MSR liquid stove after using the Jetboil.
 
I'm just wondering how to keep warm while sleeping. Night temps. around 15 to 20 degrees. Daytime is flannel shirt weather. I'd take a 1 man tent and a ground pad just want to know what sleeping bag will do the job.
 
Someone posted about lightweight boots. I have ordered the Sheep Hunters and they are well over 4lbs. Not sure that I will ever need a boot this tough but my guide suggested I have them.

I have backpacked for years and NEVER had anything close to the weight of these boots.

Any suggestions appreciated,

Archer
 
How many people use trekking poles? I think they work great. Mine are made by stony point so they have a bipod adapter to turn them into steady stix. For a sleeping bag in the 15 deegree range it shouldn't weigh much more then 2 pounds. One trick I use is to always line my pack with a heavy duty garbage bag to keep everything dry. I also use a sleeping bag with a higher rating. If I get cold I just wear my first layer to bed and if its really cold then I will wear my second layer to bed. A beanie is also a great thing for sleeping in when its cold out. Later DT
 
The ONLY neccesities are FIRE, WATER and sometimes food. Those are THE most important things you should NEVER leave without. A guy can live in the woods for several days with nothing to eat, or only what he can find. A man can live without water for even less time, depending on the conditions and avaliability of "wild" water. Each year several outdoorsmen succum to ONE night exposed to the elements (water, wind, low temperatures) because they didnt have the means of starting a fire. ONE NIGHT. Remember that. I keep fire starting equipment, (lighters, matches, sometimes kinder and paper depending on time of year and weather conditions) in several places on my body (pants, shirt, boots) and several places in my pack.
Other than the essentials, leave the gizmos and "just in case-for convinience sake) crap at home. You will pack it around for years and not use it. Ater the essentials the list goes on...

Weapon & Ammo
Knife
tags.
guess thats all. Be safe.

life IS good
 
I use trekking poles now. After years of making fun of the earth-muffins for using them I have found that they are a really helpful tool in packing out heavy loads and in crossing creeks.
 
There are a few other small items I didnt list, but I listed the main stuff. Right now my pack weighs 32lbs, this is with no water, which you will have to bring some for the pack in.
 
Great posts all...
There are many areas where you can shave pounds or ounces, but most take careful thought and more money. One Place I saved a bunch of weight is by making an alcohol stove which weighs nothing yet lets me heat water for freezedried foods. The stove I made took 5 minutes, cost me the price of a six pack of Heineken's and the bonus was I got to drink the beer...
I use MRE's on shorter 2-3 day trips as there is no need for a stove, but the weight is higher per ounce of food carried.
I also bit the bullet and spent the extra money to shave the weight by using titanium when I can and a down bag with a bivy sack, so no tent is needed.
One thing anyone who is serious about saving weight needs to do, is to assemble all your gear and weigh everything that will be on your back. You will be very surprised how much it adds up to for a weeks worth of food and gear...

Good luck to all, this season...



Stop Global Whining
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-06-06 AT 06:39PM (MST)[p]sounds like a lot of good information but most of it works only in good weather or for short times durring september and october.

A person, healty and working hard hiking all day, off trail, in the high country, will burn about 5-7000 calories per day. You can not carry enough food and gear, to the high country, on your back, for a week long hunt without losing a lot of weight!

If you carry all the right gear, a gun, ammo, a knife and all the rest, you wont be able to carry 7000 calories of food per day for 7 days of high country hunting.

Plan to bring about 3,000 per day and lose weight. If youre only doing one or two or even three days, it's easy to bring enough gear and eat well too, in fact you can even bring some extra munchies and be real confortable.

Do the math, and build your pack, if you can carry 7000 calories per day for 7 days, and all your gear, to the highcountry (I'm not talking about walking down a logging in arizona or california, or even oregon. If you manage to carry all that you need for a week, and cary the full load of grub, post here how you do it. . .

Thanks.

"Roadless areas, in general, represent some of the best fish and wildlife habitat on public lands. The bad news is that there is nothing positive about a road where fish and wildlife habitat are concerned -- absolutely nothing." (B&C Professor, Jack Ward Thomas, Fair Chase, Fall 2005, p.10).
 
TFinalshot nailed the greatest challenge, getting enough calories without loosing to much weight, more importantly keeping the energy up. Will be doing 6-9 days in a wilderness unit at 10,000 to 12,000 feet. Will call/radio the packer to bring our meat out. For 2-3 day hunts, can stay in that 35lb range, providing water is available. For the longer hunt, will pack in with 60-70 lbs, food being alot of it, but will still loose alot of weight. Been packing and unpacking and weighing since earlier June. Here is my list-

1. Cabelas Alaskan Frame Pack - It is heavy, but tough as nails and will get our meat back to base camp. 5,000 cubic inches. Lighter and perhaps better packs exist.
2. 15F North Face Goose - 3lbs, outer bag reverses into a clothe side for adding jacket to get pillow
3. Thermarest sleeping pad
4. MSR Pocket Rocket Stove - Awesome Product, but have to carry spent Butane canisters out. 2 cans of fuel
5. Titanium Spork
6. Titanium pot
7. Titanium cup with volume markings, eg. 8 oz
8. REI Gimme Shelter 2 man Tent - approxiamtely 2 lbs 10oz
9. Waterproof matches
10. Nylon rope and game bags
11. Compass
12. GPS + maps
13. Camera
14. Browing laminated lightweight knive(s)
15. MSR 85 oz bladder with gatorade powder
16. Two collaspable paltypus 32 oz
17. Water purification tablets
18. lightweight towel, tp, and some wipes
19. Back pack cover for rain and snow protection
20. Black Diamond headlamp with extra 6V battery
22. Clothes - Daily change on socks, still working on minimum here, 2 sets essentailly
23. Food - Still wokring through this - one deydrated meal (read nutrition and watch out for meals with the highest sodium) each night and working through the rest inorder to keep calories up, this is really the hard party, getting enough food in to maintain good energy.

Still working the weight down as we speak.....................

Bow and binocs will be in hand. Vasque GTX boots digging forward.

Recommend getting Cameron Hane's book "Backcountry Bowhunting" as he has done a great job writing about our addiction!

Most important thing of all is getting in shape. I try hard to do this, but I have never stepped foot into elk country yet and by weeks end felt I had gotten myself into good enough shape.

Hunt hard, never give up and that monster bull will come your way!

JL
 
The one thing I can say about the down bag (from experence doing exatly what JonnyL. described,) is this, LEAVE IT AT HOME! Down's great, it's light, but the sacrafice in comfort, should you get it wet, could destroy your hunt. If you dont get good drying weather durring the day, you will be sleeping in a wet bag. I own two down bags and neither one would I take on a highcountry backpack hunt again. I'll carry the extra bulk and another pound or two in a quality synthetic, instead of sleeping in damp/wet down.

Your body loses a lot of moisture at night and you WILL need to air the down bag out durring the day. Maybe not every day, but over the course of a few days, it will retain the moisture and if you have several days of snow and rain (no ability for the moisture in your bag to escape), it will not dry out. follow that with some cold temps or more rain and you've got disaster. One or two cold nights is hard on you at 10k feet and while hunting. Leave the down bag at home, you will be glad you did should you get extended bad weather. Those early wyoming high mountain storms can get things wet in a hury and make it impossible to dry your gear. . .



"Roadless areas, in general, represent some of the best fish and wildlife habitat on public lands. The bad news is that there is nothing positive about a road where fish and wildlife habitat are concerned -- absolutely nothing." (B&C Professor, Jack Ward Thomas, Fair Chase, Fall 2005, p.10).
 
Last year I packed in more food then I could eat on a 10 day hunt. It was a ten miles in and I had extra food at the end of that time. And I hunt harder then anybody I know. I hate going hungry so I always bring extra. The way I figure it is if you eat 7000 calories a day and your food is at least 100 calories per ounce, your food will be a little less then 4.5 pounds a day. Which is 45 pounds on a 10 day hunt. I can't eat that much and I don't worry about how many calories I eat, I just eat until I am full. I was hungry in AK one time on a sheep hunt and I decided I wasn't going to be hungry on a hunt again because it sucked. I also do use a down bag here in WA and I haven't had any problems yet. I am pretty careful with it but I know youcan have some really bad problems if you are careless. Just my 2 cents. DT
 
Food seems to be the biggest concern (and the biggest weight depending on duration). I have seen/heard arguements for both dehydrated and MREs. Anyone have a preference based on experience at high altitudes?
 
no wonder you call yourslef dirtytough, youre a real man! To your credit, I think your numbers are a bit conservative. Your calories per oz are low, therefore, I think you could get away with less weight - less than 4.5 lb's per day. In my experence, maybe not as experenced as you, you sound like you really know what you're doing, and I'm just a careless backpacker, I plan for 3 to 3.5 pounds of food per 24 hour period. On a ten day trip, that's 30-35 lbs of food - on your back. So, it's about an 80-85 pound pack. For roads and good trails that's very doable.

If you going to 10,000 feet or higher, from say 1500 or 2k feet in 10 miles for 10 days, you better have a name like Dirtytough. With a name like that i'm surprised you even bring food. And as cold as it gets in washington I'm surprised you can even stay outside overnigh durring hunting season! LOL -

By the way, how big and how old are you? What's the weight of your rifle and hunting gear? How do you get your gear and deer out from 10 miles in - is it all on foot?

Take care,


Here's an interesting list, it's foot type and calories per ounce

Food
Calories per ounce (28.35 grams)

Canola or Olive Oil
240 cal/oz

Mayonnaise
200

Brazil nuts
185

French fried onions
180

Fried pork rinds
175

Mixed nuts
170

Cashews (shelled)
170

Cocktail peanuts
170

Sunflower seeds (shelled)
170

Pringles
170

Peanut Butter
166

Almond Roca
163

Dry roasted peanuts
160

Fritos Corn Chips
160

Ruffles potato chips
160

Ritz crackers
158

Reese's PB Cup
157

Hershey's Milk Chocolate
152

Little Debbie Nutty Bars
152

Hershey Kisses
151

Lays potato chips
150

Chips Ahoy cookies
150

Peanut M&M's
147

Coconut (dried, sweetened, shredded)
143

Pork bacon
140

Cheese & peanut butter crackers
140

Nacho Flavored Doritos
140

Wheat Thins
140

Plain M&M's
140

Semi-sweet chocolate chips
140

Nondairy Creamer powder
140

Snickers candy bar
136

Oreo cookies
136

Jiffy-Pop popcorn
135

Goldfish crackers
135

Triscuits
135

Milky Way candy bar
135

Chocolate covered donuts
135

Baby Ruth candy bar
132

Pepperoni
130

Chex mix (prepared per instructions)
130

Chow Mein Noodles
130

Quaker 100% Natural Cereal
129

Nabisco Aircrisp Cheese Nip Crackers
125

Ramen noodles
124

Little Debbie fudge brownies
124

Saltine crackers
120

Cracker Jack
120

Powdered doughnuts
120

Pop Tarts (Frosted Brown Sugar, etc.)
117

Lipton Noodles & Sauce
116

Hot Cocoa mix
115

Trix Cereal
115

Little Debbie cream filled cupcakes
113

Cap'n Crunch
112

Balance Bars
112

Blue cheese
110

Longhorn cheese
110

Monterrey Jack cheese
110

Sharp cheddar cheese
110

Grated canned parmesan cheese
110

Hard Candy
110

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars
110

Pop Tarts (All Other Flavors)
108

Sugar-sweetened lemon drink mix
107

Nutri-Grain Bars
106

Spaghetti (100% Semolina)
105

Egg Noodles
105

Brown sugar
105

Jelly Beans
105

Fruitcake
100 - 110

Kraft original Mac & Cheese
104

Corn Chex
103

Cheerios
103

Fortune Cookies
103

Stove Top Stuffing Mix
103

Instant rice (e.g. Minute Rice)
102

Lipton Rice & Sauce
102

Wheat Chex
101

Bulgur (uncooked)
100

Rold Gold Fat Free pretzels
100

Melba toast
100

Fig Newtons
100

Quick Cook Oats
100

Grape Nuts cereal
100

Corn Flakes
100

Jello Instant Chocolate Pudding
100

Fruit roll-ups (store bought)
100

Gainers Fuel 1000 (Protein Powder)
100

Power Bars
100

Clif Bars
100

Pasta Roni
100

Cous Cous
100

Coconut (raw)
100

Cream cheese
100

Sugar-sweetened Kool-Aid
98

Nonfat Dry Milk
98

Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal
98

Quick Grits
98

Instant potato flakes
98

Instant Miso soup
98

Summer sausage
95

Polska Kielbasa (Pork)
95

Rice A Roni
95

Raisin Bran
92

Raisins
92

Craisins (Dried cranberries)
91

Ballpark franks
90

Bologna
90

Velveeta
90

Brie cheese
90

Marshmallows
90

Flour tortillas
89

Spam
85

Pitted Dates
84

Cheese Whiz
83

Deviled ham spread
80

Beef Jerky (store bought)
80

Turkey jerky (store bought)
80

Honey
80

Jams and jellies
80

Sun Maid Dried Fruit Mix
77

Bagels
74

Pita bread (white)
74

Turkey bacon
70

Roman Meal bread
70

Dried apricots
70

Corn tortillas
67

Smuckers Grape Jelly
63

Sour dough English muffins
61

Fresh avocado
60

Canned Smoked Oysters in Oil
55

Tuna (in oil)
52

Cooked ham
50

Corned beef hash
49

Hummus (prepared)
47

Turkey Kielbasa
45

Canned Chicken in water
40

Beef or Chicken bullion
40

Tuna (in spring water)
30

Ketchup
30

Canadian bacon
30

Bananas
26

Tofu
18

Fresh apples
15

Raw carrots
13

Fresh peaches
12

Fresh strawberries
9

Fresh oranges
9

Asparagus
5

Coffee or Tea
0

"Roadless areas, in general, represent some of the best fish and wildlife habitat on public lands. The bad news is that there is nothing positive about a road where fish and wildlife habitat are concerned -- absolutely nothing." (B&C Professor, Jack Ward Thomas, Fair Chase, Fall 2005, p.10).
 
Quite a list Tf .

I've always found that my appetite decreases when back packing . I do lose some weight but still have plenty of energy . We pack in 6-8 miles ,eat around 4 bars during the day and have a two person dehydrated meal at night . Pack usually weighs in under 60 lbs . That's hunitng 9500'-10500' .
 
what time of year, what location, for how many days? It's easy to go for short 3-4 days, it's when you get beyond 7, or when your camping durring mid to late november that things get interesting.

"Roadless areas, in general, represent some of the best fish and wildlife habitat on public lands. The bad news is that there is nothing positive about a road where fish and wildlife habitat are concerned -- absolutely nothing." (B&C Professor, Jack Ward Thomas, Fair Chase, Fall 2005, p.10).
 
This is the typical pack I use from Spet. in Western Wy. to early Nov in Nv. The max we stay is 8 days . On average I would say 5-7 days .

I've never tried that set up in late November . I've never put in for a hunt that runs that late .
 
I am 22 years old, I am about 180 pounds, and I am 6 foot 2 inches tall. I use a 30-378 Weatherby with a 6.5-20X50 Leupold. My backpak I call a barny's bag because the only place I know you can get them is from Barnys Sports Chalet(sp) in AK. Binos are Swarovski EL's. Leica 20-60X77 Spotter. 1200 Leica range finder. I bring scalples for my knife cause its easy to sharpen, just change the blade, and its really light weight. I use a Msr Wisperlite for a stove if I have sombody with me. I bring only one pot for boiling water. My water bottles are from gatorade bottles because they are less weight then a nalgene bottle and you get to drink the gatorade. I bring about five of the really cheap stretchy game bags for the animal. Of course I have a few small odds and ends like a headlamp taht is 3oz and a couple lighters. And my camera. Got to have a camera.

Last year there was four of us that went up there together.
My buddy and myself went in five days early to scout and hunt bears. My pack was 104 pounds and his was 81. He carried all his own stuff and I carried all my own stuff plus I carried all of the gear. We got about half of the way in and it started snowing which really sucked. We soaked are rain gear from the sweat so we would freeze when we would stop for a break. We hiked out 5 days later and met my dad and brother and helped them pack in. My brother just tore the ligaments in his ankle playing baketball and my dad is really out of shape so this time I started with about 75 pounds and my buddy had about 65 pounds, my brother had about 50 and my dad had about 40. After about 4 miles we were going slower and slower so I took all my dads stuff except his gun and binos and his sleeping bag and my buddy took some of my brothers stuff and that helped a lot. It took us about 4.5 hours to walk in the 10 miles. I try to average 3 miles an hour. The only pack we weighed when we got home was mine and it was 135 pounds. That is the heaviest pack I have ever packed. That was with my dads whole deer and clothes and stuff but my brother packed my gun and I didn't pack both tents out either. We made it ou tin a little under 4 hours. My mom owns a UPS store so thats how I have pretty accurate weights otherwise I am just guessing like when we packed in the second time. That was way more typing then I am use to so I am saying goodby for now. DT
 
For my sept/oct blackpowder hunt I usually pack in about 5 miles and spend 5 days. My pack weighs about about 65-75 lbs. A couple of years ago I started carrying extra food and gear with me while scouting and caching it where I would be camping in the fall. This works nice, it is good conditioning during the one night scouting trips, and it makes my pack lighter when I go out for the full 5 days.

T-Shot you write about the weakness of down sleeping bags, what type of bag do you recommend?

Dax
 
You gotta be careful with packs that are to heavy. Blow out a knee 10 miles in and your dinked. If my pack weighed 85 lbs I would have to hire a packer or buy pack llamas. One injury like that and your days of running up 10,000 foot peaks are over. I have llamas and enjoy my pack with only water and first aid kit.
Shane
 
The north face fission, or the cats meow, and sierra designes are the one's I'm familier with. I believe marmont, and mountain hardware both make awesome synthetics under 3 lbs and rated at 15-20 degrees.

If the bag is rated at 15 or 20 i'd ad about 10 dgrees to that and plan to sleep in a layer of fleece or pack a sythetic liner. No matter what you will have to buy a mummy style bag, they are a little more cramped than a box style, but its the only way to get the weight down.

I love my down bags, and use them when I'm sleeping in the bed of my truck or if I were in a nice camp with a way to get moister out of the bag, or on a short two or three day deal. but to risk my entire hunt on a down bag again I will not do. . . At least with synthetic you can stay warm in a damp or wet bag. . .





"Roadless areas, in general, represent some of the best fish and wildlife habitat on public lands. The bad news is that there is nothing positive about a road where fish and wildlife habitat are concerned -- absolutely nothing." (B&C Professor, Jack Ward Thomas, Fair Chase, Fall 2005, p.10).
 
Good point earlier by TFS on the down versus syn.

I go to great lengths to keep my gear dry: a great backpack cover, a good tent and we will carry in a small tarp (if i can get my hunting partner to carry!) and build a additional shelter over our tent at base camp. For hunting trips where I am not hiking in miles, I will take my sleeping bag cover for added warmth (5-10 extra degrees) and rain protection. Also, didn't mention earlier, but packing a emergency blanket is not a bad idea and they don't weigh much. My NF bag is 8 or 9 years old and still holding up, but when I get a new one, will definitely look at a syn bag, but botytom line is how much thermal protection can I get in the lightest bag. Again, I go to great lengths in keeping my bag and clothes dry on any hunt. I got hammered by rain in Montana last year (archery elk), but I was camping near my vehicle allbeit 25 miles off the road. The previous 6 or 7 years, it has been hot and dry while praying for some rain.................................

Also, as someone pointed out if the bag is rated at 15F, it probably is good to about 25F or so, so applying the 10 degree factor is good advice.

Lastly, someone mentioned llamas, obviously if livestock is available, than take advantage of it. Of course this is easier for some than others to utilize. Personally, I don't mind the hike in and out. Having a packer set up in advance is key to getting my bull out.

JL
 
Great post. All my gear is about the same as everyone elses. I've done quite a bit of backcountry backpacking hunting in the past 2 years. I recently move to CO from AZ. I usually do not carry a tent though I have one that weighs approx. 3 lbs. Does anyone else just build a shelter instead of carrying a tent? Just wondering what you "cold weather" hunters would say.
Thanks,
NK
 
What is your clothes you wear for the cold mornings? I mean a guy cannot wear what he is going to hunt in when packing in or he would be nothing but stink and sweat. I am buying a lot of fleece to see how that works this year.
Anyone take a small bar of soap? Ibuprofine? i usually take a motel bar of soap and try to wash up in a stream in the mid dy warmth. Ibuprofine is a must.....
What are your breakfast and lunches ?
 
I try granola bars/nuts/pop tarts for breakfasts with a little gatorade powder in my water. You're right about the soap. You should probably pack a small bar for washing in and a small bottle of laundry detergent for washing those sweaty socks. You try and wear a dirty sock two days in a row and that dried salt and dirt will rubb your feet raw....you gotta wash'em. I try hiking in a t-shirt (Not white), lightweight pants (shorts if appropriate for terrain) and some lightweight gore-tex hikers. So, I guess....just wear layers in the cold mornings, go light when packing in so you don't sweat too badly, and do the munchies for breakfast. That's what I do....you gotta do what works for you though.
 
schmalts , what's worked well for me are the antibacterial wipes ( basically baby wipes ) . When you get stanky they clean you up pretty well . It's no fun trying to clean up in an ice cold stream while it's raining / snowing .

I think quality socks and sock liners are one of the most important things to bring plenty of while back packing . For a weeks hunt I'll bring four pair socks and liners .
 
If i know i will be camping near a stream i will bring less socks and undies and do a load of wash with the motel soap. Just soap up the socks and scrub them together for a while and rinse and hang. Fresh socks are SWEEEET. i try and get by with 2 extra pair of each socks and undies and do laundry every other day. Many times i will take my smelly socks and put them in a stream all day by putting a rock on the tops of the socks and let the current rinse them all day and no soap is needed. The wet whipes i do take and i reserve for my ass most of the time after i wipe off. If it is going to be mild temps i have a one shot shower solar bag. It is really small and for me it is worth the packing if i can fit it, i get a buzz haircut before the trip and the motel soap washes my hair.
I use iodine tablets and pack in a 2 gallon collapsable jug. I fill it the first night and put the tablets in, add the gatoraid powder and am set for a few days. I dont use a pump in areas with a lot of water. I found i really like the water bottle with the filter in it. You never are rationing with that bottle because anytime you are near a stream you guzzle all you can and dip it in to fill it up again. but like i said, its only good where there is a lot of water but a guy should know this ahead of time by looking at maps. I highly reccomed one in those types of areas.
One last trick...... i take 2 ammodium AD's a day to bind me up. I cannot take a hard crap for the life of me when i hike hard and i cannot afford to use too much ass wipe and get monkey-butt from a needed re-wipe. It works for me, and if you have the same problem try it, you will like it. one in the AM and one at dinner helps out.
Scott TP has the most squares per roll by far. nothing else will do for me on my trip.
 
schmalts - I think that last post falls under the category of " too much information " . LOL !
 
great ideas, but do you think a hunter can go ultra light like you see in backpacker magazine?
 
The wet whipes
>i do take and i
>reserve for my ass most
>of the time after i
>wipe off. If it is
>going to be mild temps
>i have a one shot
>shower solar bag. It is
>really small and for me
>it is worth the packing
>if i can fit it,
>i get a buzz haircut
>before the trip and the
>motel soap washes my hair.
>
> One last trick......
>i take 2 ammodium AD's
>a day to bind me
>up. I cannot take a
>hard crap for the life
>of me when i hike
>hard and i cannot afford
>to use too much ass
>wipe and get monkey-butt from
>a needed re-wipe. It works
>for me, and if you
>have the same problem try
>it, you will like it.
>one in the AM and
>one at dinner helps out.
>
> Scott TP has the
>most squares per roll by
>far. nothing else will do
>for me on my trip.
>

Now this is proof that this guy has "been there, done that". I find that I will drink quite a bit more when hiking in the mountains. Combine that with high calorie, low fiber foods, and the rate of passage increases.

I find anything that makes my "morning chores" more pleasant only makes the outdoors trip more enjoyable. The converse is especially true.

It is an art to warm the baby wipes over a fire without drying them outfor a "Navy bath". I do pack a one man solar shower too and I've come to appreciate it also.

For a deeper discussion on the topic checkout this book:

http://books.google.com/books?id=xT...***+in+the+woods&sa=X&oi=print&ct=result&cd=1

My biggest challeng back packing is the down time. My mind starts wandering when its 95 degrees and 4-6 hours 'til the game is moving again. If you are in a spot that you know will have some action that evening, you have to hang tight until then. that is when the little extras that you bring make the unt more bearable....
 
I was on the last WYO trip with Sheepshooter. I can verify the weight of his pack at just under 60. HOWEVER, it felt more like 260 once we were over 9000ft. My pack came it at 48, and it still felt brutal in the high country. The list of equipment each of us brought could only reduce weight(i think) by buying all new lighter versions of the same equipment. Next time I might just hunt with a knife and save the added weight of a rifle and ammo. A big plus the rest of you have is not hunting with Sheepshooters brother...he'll hide stuff he doesn't want to carry in your pack when your not looking!

PR
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-15-06 AT 09:18PM (MST)[p]>
>Sheepshooters brother...he'll hide stuff he
>doesn't want to carry in
>your pack when your not
>looking!
>
>PR


Grounds for execution!! So is when your so called buddy is caught munching on the chips ahoy cookies that he said were to much to carry but you did.
 
That's funny chit - the packing stuff.

How long are you guys going in for with <50 lb packs complete with guns and ammo? I have about the lightest gun and all titaneum gear and lightwight everything and i could not get my pack down below about 70 lbs for a 10 day trip. Like reported in this thead, 10 days x 2.5 lbs per food per day is half YOUR load just in food. Add to that 10lbs for gun, ammo, knif, water purifier, and first aid, add another 10 for a sleeping pad, tent, and sleeping bag, and another 6-7 for cloths, and 5-6 for the pack, and I cant imagine getting my pack down <50 pounds!

Thankfully my highcountry hunting partner (Mtmiller) on our last trip, shared his junk food with me, as I left all mine at home thinking I did not want to carry the extra weight. I got a little hungey on our last trip and wacked a big blue with a rock, that's when we started a fire! If MT reads this, he can post the photo of us eating that bird, I dont have one. . .



"Roadless areas, in general, represent some of the best fish and wildlife habitat on public lands. The bad news is that there is nothing positive about a road where fish and wildlife habitat are concerned -- absolutely nothing." (B&C Professor, Jack Ward Thomas, Fair Chase, Fall 2005, p.10).
 
Schmalts-

Between your "so called buddy", Sheepshooters brother and a couple of my so called friends, we should let them all hunt together to screw each other over. They can see who is the sneakiest backstaber of them all! I unpacked from a trip with my so called friends and found 4 empty beer bottles in my pack, and I never saw or tased a beer on that trip. That is just low down!

PR
 
There have been times that i have day hiked out after 4 days to get more food, and do other things like flesh a cape, pack out meat, ect. Then i always go back in with good stuff like cookies, beer, sodas, fresh camera batteries,TP, ect. that is the great thing about having a good hunting partner. When one guys kills something half way into the week the other half of the trip is better eating!
Just getting back to the truck after a 4 day camp is great to crack that cooler open and grab a cold soda and pop a bag of chips open.
 
TFinalshot-

My <50 lb pack isn't including the rifle or water, just the gear and ammo. I've got some good light weight titanium gear to cook with-
Snow peak pot, cup and spork
Titanium Gigi power stove
Garuda Kusala tent(3lbs 10oz)
of course the rest is needed gear, knives, game bags, water pump,etc. I really shave weight with the food. I only permit myself 1 cliff bar and 1 power gel in the morning, and 1 power bar for lunch. Dinner is a Mountain House dehydrated dinner. I'm hungry 100% of the time. The only break is to shoot something early and start eating up the rest of the supply so I can get off the mountain lighter and not hungry. The trip is packed for a 7 day stay, including to and from the truck.

But, like Schmalts said and does, if someone kills early and packs out meat, he brings in good food, at least thats the plan.

PR
 
At the last Pope and Young Convention, Randy Ulmer gave a talk on packing in light. He uses a tent that has no bottom, only takes one set of cloths (doesn't worry about the scent as he feels on that type of trip you can't acheive a scent free status). Down bag. A combination backpack and hunting pack.
Boots are also light weight. He makes it a practice to unpack his pack at the trail head as he starts out, goes through everything and makes a final elimination of anything he feels he may not need. He does not skimp on optics and may take a spotting scope if necessary. The guy is also in incredible shape...runs ironmans. Obviously the time of year, terrain and water will go along ways in determining what you take on any given trip. I always keep a journal when I hunt and make note of what gear I seldom use or could do with out. Over the years I've managed to get down to the bare minimum on everything.
The deer and elk don't seem to be getting any lighter though!
 
Hello,

My first post, I am new here. Great reading, and I learned a lot, and got a small list of things I have been needing to get, but haven't known what brand, style, etc.

One thing I noticed that people were taking was Duct tape. I have in my day fanny pack some 3M Transpore tape that the hospitals and clinics use when they draw blood, etc. Lighter that duct tape and you can get more in a smaller package.

I have yet to do a backpack hunt for mule deer, but I carry a 4lb fanny pack, and a 70 oz camel back when I hunt from the vehicle, plus the weapon, and binos, and clothes on my back. (I just have not had an opportunity to hunt mule deer in more that a 2 day trip, so I camp from the truck, and hike daily). Hoping next year I will be able to do a longer pack in hunt for mulies, thanks for the good info!!
 
Last year while scouting I took water and sardines and canned food into a hidey hole on my horses a week in advance of my hunt. I don't like hunting with horses so when it came time to backpack in I only had to carry my other essentials but they were all nonfood items. I cook nothing on my bivvy hunts and start no fires. I use a cold camp and try my best to make no noise or have no smoke while camping out hunting. Because of this I've had deer wander right into my camp never knowing I'm there. I've found that you can't carry enough water for a prolonged hunt on your back. You must go to a water source and filter your water. This means loosing elevation to get water in most cases. When I stash my water I'm at elevations of 9,000 feet where I also sleep. When I wake up I peek over the rim of the ridge and start glassing. This worked very well for me as the deer were unaware of my presence and I worked a long rim for about a week. This year I plan on stashing water on top of several mountain top rims so that I will be able to move camp when I feel that I've pressured the deer too much in one area. Not everybody has access to horses or Llamas so this would not work but I would try to hike in and stash water from my back. Keep in mind that I've only done this stuff while hunting in mild weather and a cold camp was feasible. If I had really low temps I probably would also be looking at titanium stoves and campfires. I hope that this has given some more ideas. fatrooster.
 
I live within 10 miles of one of my elk spots and 2 hours from the other. I pack in some supplies and cache them in a 5 gallon bucket buried in a rock slide. So far the bears have only found them once (in 15 years). It's a nice option to leave extra food, alcohol stove, and a tarp etc. It takes some of the weight of my back and allows me a good excuse to scout and get exercise.

BeanMan
 
Here is my gear:

Eberstock just one pack
therma rest self inflating pad

mountain hardwear phanton 0 degree down bag (under 2 lbs)

big angus seed house 1 man tent (2 lbs 6 oz this is a self standing tent. or depending on the hunt I have a cabelas xpg bivy sack at only 13 oz.

MSR windpro stove (takes the small butane canisters)

platapus 2 liter water blatter in addition to my camel back. I fill it when I find water and a place to camp.

mountainhouse meals but MRE's are starting to look good

swaroski 20-60x80 spotting scope and leica 10-15x50 duovids with a outdoorsman tripod head and dual mount. My optic setup is 10.5 lbs and I don't mind packing it. By the way my tripod by outdoorsman weights only 34oz and the dualmount and pan head combine for only 28oz

rifle is about 7.5

msr water filtration system (12oz
I think)

I can keep it under 50 lbs for 5-6 days
 
Good ideas. I have considered packing stuff in early and just might try it this year. One other thing is you can buy large collapsable water containers/blatters. Has anyone used one of these to cut down the trips to the stream?
Another question, what type of clothes does everyone prefer for high country weather?
Cotton? Fleece? Wool? etc.
if your only bringing one pair it had better be dried out easily.
thanks
t
 
Heres my list

Badlands 2800
Go Lite 20 degree bag 1 lb. 10 oz.
MSR Zoid 1 solo tent 2 lbs 14 oz.
Thermarest prolite 3/4 length under 1 lb.
Snow Peak Giga stove and titanium kettle
3 liter water blatter
Freeze Dried food if water is available where I hunt
MRE if I have to pack all my water with me.


I am still looking for the perfect backpack but have not found it yet so the Badlands will do for now.

My hunts are always backpack hunts and I am usually gone for 3-5 days at a time. My pack weight is right around 35 pounds with all my gear not including gun or bow.

Byron
 
What season, and what dates?


"Roadless areas, in general, represent some of the best fish and wildlife habitat on public lands. The bad news is that there is nothing positive about a road where fish and wildlife habitat are concerned -- absolutely nothing." (B&C Professor, Jack Ward Thomas, Fair Chase, Fall 2005, p.10).
 
Late Aug or Early Sept. Above 10,000ft CO

I have an eberlestock as well and love it, the added duffel really increases your carrying capacity
 
I have checked out the Kifaru website before and they look really good but I have not seen them in person. Is there anywhere near Salt Lake that carries them. I also have heard of the Mystery Ranch packs, aren't they built buy the same guys that build (or built) Dana Designs? I have 2 different packs by Dana for general backpacking and they are hard to beat.
 
I have the Eberlestock Just one and like it, but am waiting on my Outfitteres Pack to arrive from Wilderness Packs. It is basicly the same thing as the Ultimate Hardcore Pack, same frame anyways. The search continues. I bout the duffel, but my pack is the first generation, so zipper is different.
 
I'm sitting back taking notes on this one. I'm a light weight packing rookie, but the topic of SOCKS came up above.

I highly recommend Cabela's Ingenius socks. I bought 2 pair last year and wore each for a week straight on an elk hunt. Holy cow! Amazing qualities and worth every penny (little pricey for socks). I would say one on your feet and a different weight in the pack and your set for a week!

They have a wool blend and work wonders with one of greatest things in life: Goretex! :)

ODDNUT1
Kirt C.
Hunt Odds.com
 
I have been getting into light weight packing lately. Last year on a high country hunt my friends wanted to know why I had a 90 lb pack for a short trip. I had a heavy pack, heavy bag, too many heavy clothes, stove etc. After trying to lift the pack they wanted to know there I hid the midget in the pack. Since then I've tried to go lighter. Its been a lot better.

Here is a list of my gear:

Mainbean XL pack?I love this pack. It is a new pack on the market but it is nice. It has the best access and utilization of space of any pack I have used.

Army lightweight sleeping bag

Clarks Jungle Hammock?This goes in the stuff sack with the sleeping bag and straps onto the bottom of my pack. If you haven't tried these you should. I got one this year after seeing a friend in his and I've never slept better outdoors. And if you are using packgoats, unless you want to become a goat couch in the night you need to use one.

Brunton Stove
Titanium pot
Plastic Spoon
Knife
Sharpener
Mountain House Dinners?amount depends on how long I'm out
Water Purifier?Katalyn
100oz water bladder
2 nalgene bottles?to mix Gatorade
Gatorade mix
Safety pin
Small bottle ibuprofen?I take this all the time when hiking a lot great stuff
Gold bond powder?use it
Tp
Wet wipes?I carry a big bag. It weighs a little more but its so worth it.
Toothbrush
Small first aid kit
PETZL headlamp. 3 AAA batteries gives about 80 hours of light. It is small, bright and very light weight.

Camo= ASAT leafy suit. If you haven't seen this it is a mesh 3d suit that goes on over whatever you are wearing. This is awesome

Clothes?I have a few opinions on this. I think that for hiking and especially early season hiking most camo clothing sucks. I am a big guy and tend to sweat a lot when hiking. I have a lot of camo from all of the different companies and none of it is that great for me. I've started to hit the hiking ?granola? stores for hiking clothes. The stuff they have is light weight, dries faster and is much more comfortable than anything I've gotten from the camo guys. And any of this stuff fits great under my ASAT suit.

REI hiking pants. These pants are light, warm and dry fast. They also have zip off legs for hot weather hiking.

Under Armor t shirt and compression shorts. Just tried these this year. They are awesome. They dry fast and keep me dry and comfortable. And they are light. I usually wear a pair and pack one.

Fleece jacket

Wool Socks?2 pair

Cabalas sock liner?I thought these would be hot and sweaty. I can wear them all day and have dry feet. They are comfortable, and keep your feet dry.

Light weight shoe/boot. I have some Merrill hikers. They aren't a winter boot but their light weight makes a huge difference.

Cheap Wal-Mart hiking poles---they saved my ankles many times.

Binocs
Range finder
Bow
Release

Small foam pad to sit on

That's it. I bought a couple of pack goats a couple of years ago. I hunt a couple of areas that I can't take them-water shed areas- But when I take them they love the light weight stuff too. It also allows me to take more fun stuff, food comfort items etc.
 
My pack is packed out and just about ready for my early October bull hunt in NM and weighs in at 43 lbs. I will add 85 oz of water and about 7 lbs more food. So, will be packing right at 55 lbs from the get go for 8-days. My only splurge was I packed five packs of socks. Alot of good recommendations on socks to try, but can't take the chance on only 2 pair. Went with all titanium and drilled holes in everything, spork, saw, tooth brush and replaced my one man ten/bivy spikes with 1/2 oz MSR aluminum tent spikes, cut ounces every where I could and looking at 55 lbs. I am ready to roll come Setpember 26! Well, almost, still working out. Also, targeting 3,000 calories per day on food which is per the caloric calculator for my 180 lb weight. Recommend going out onto the web, google calorie calculators and you can get your recommended daily calorieds required based on your weight and activity level. Taking 3,000 calories a day and hunting hard, I will loose weight but should be able to maintain adequate energy level.

Lastly, Kirk C. - Great job on your work. I ran into your buddy out in ABQ (Sportsman W/H) who was helping you out. Nice guy, can't remember his name, this was back in March.

Good thread everyone and good recommendations.

Johnny L
 
The best way to cut the pounds is losing all the comforts.

For a 5-6 day trip I can fit everything I take in my Fieldline Dwight Schu Day pack that I then tie to my Bull Pac frame.

OR Bivy no stakes - Can get a little cramped zipped up
North Face 15 degree synthetic bag
MSR water pump and two Nalgene Bottles- They screw into the pump
Therma Rest Ultra light and short pad less than a pound
Two knives and G5 sharpener
Two alaskan game bags
Two pair Danner moisture wicking socks
Two pair Under armour briefs
Under Armour Heat gear shirt- The under armour works great for
packing in because it wicks the sweat away and you can wash
and dry it quickly
Predator camo pants and two long sleeve shirts
Small fuji Dig Cam and small headlight
I pack a lot of jerky and powerbars for meals one pound of jerky will last a while.
Dont take a stove pots or pans.
Swaro EL 10x42 and bushnell scout rangefinder
Extra release and bow

All said about 55 pounds with plenty of food.
 
Flight,

No does not include weapon, binocs and rangefinder.

JL

"Always hunt like its your last hunt"
 
Usually when people discuss weight, they refer to the actual pack load not what you will be holding or have strapped to your chest.
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-13-06 AT 10:23AM (MST)[p]Big Agnes seed house one SL tent 2lb 13oz
If you just use the Rain Fly and the Fast Fly Floor 1lb 12 oz!!!
Big Agness Lost Ranger 15 degree down bag with a Big Agness insulated air Core Pad 3lbs total
Toob Toothbrush and one Spork
Jet-Boil stove and Mountain House Meals
Katdyn water filter
95oz water bladder and one nalgene water bottle and Sqwincher fast packs,Folgers instand coffee bags
Power Bars and Clif Bars and Trail Mix Packs
First Aid-10 ft of Duck Tape wrapped around a Pensil then cut to length,small Antiseptic tube,Regular Bandages,Super Glue(for Cuts)
Swarovski EL 10x40
Leupold Gold Ring 12x40x60
Canon A95 5 megapixle (it has a timer for a self photo)
Glock Model 27-40 SW
Mathews Switchback forget the Rifle WAY to HEAVY!!! Good Luck
 
Light is always the best bet on any hunt where there's not a cabin or truck near by but got to keep warm and toasty. Think about your comfort level. Its a real pain to be short on warm when in the woods.
 
I've not really backpack hunted and have to take my hat off to you guys that do. I will say, don't underestimate the amount of energy hard hunting takes. Hunting, one week out of a camper, eating a bit more than I usually do, and I will still loose 10 to 12 pounds. For those of us who have it to spare, that isn't much of a problem, for others it could be serious. Even if you don't need as much food for calories, make sure you have enough of the right stuff to keep your blood sugar level where it needs to be. Never underestimate the importance and benefits of water. Even mild dehydration, besides being the first step toward a possible life threatening condition, will sap alot of your stamina and strength.

You guys toting 75 to 100 lb packs, be careful. Even if you don't injure yourself and even though you have the strength and stamina to do so, you may be accumulating a debt to paid later. I know I have damaged my knees over the years just packing elk out of steep terrain. Was able to handle the weight, but paid a price for my lack of foresight.
 

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